Walkway Collapse at Hyatt Regency Hotel
July 17th, 1981
July 17th, 1981
How Long Ago?
43 years, 7 months, 26 days ago
Location
Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Category
Accidents & Tragedies
Links & References
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Walkway Collapse at Hyatt Regency Hotel
A structural failure resulted in the collapse of a suspended walkway at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, killing 114 people and injuring more than 200. The tragedy occurred during a dance event when the second and fourth floor walkways, which had been poorly designed, fell onto the first floor. This incident highlighted the importance of structural safety and design integrity in public buildings.
114 people lost their lives in the collapse.
More than 200 individuals sustained injuries.
The design flaws were a key factor in the failure.
Led to changes in building codes nationwide.
What Happened?
The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri, was the site of a catastrophic walkway collapse that occurred during a dance event attended by hundreds of guests. The incident involved the failure of two suspended walkways that connected the hotel's second and fourth floors. At approximately 7:00 PM, as guests gathered below for a company party, the walkways buckled and crashed down to the atrium area, resulting in significant loss of life and numerous injuries. The design flaw stemmed from an original plan that had been altered, allowing for a change in the configuration of the walkways that ultimately compromised their structural integrity.
In the aftermath, emergency response teams worked tirelessly to rescue trapped individuals and provide medical care to the injured. As a result of the disaster, a total of 114 people lost their lives, and more than 200 were injured, making it one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history. Investigations revealed critical design and engineering mistakes, sparking debates about building codes and safety regulations.
The Hyatt Regency collapse had profound effects on engineering practices in the United States. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and other organizations revisited standards for construction, leading to increased oversight and more stringent regulations. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for the importance of meticulous engineering and adherence to safety protocols in the design and construction of public infrastructures.
Why Does it Matter?
The Hyatt Regency walkway collapse is significant as it underscored the need for rigorous engineering standards and building safety codes. This incident prompted a nationwide reassessment of structural safety measures and the architectural review processes in the construction industry. Changes to building regulations were implemented to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
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